change license key

[mdbusa]

I just got a valid license key from the company that I work for allowing me to use XP pro at home. Is there a way to change product key and reactivate without this calling to a phone number in the us?

I dont want to reinstall my machine-- and I have been using a pirate copy until now and the automatic updates have stopped working and I dont want to download this tool that updates keeps trying to download.

I live in thailand and it will cost me quite a bit to dial the number given to get the validation ID from microsoft rep

 

[nweaver]

It costs to call a toll free number from there?

 

[mdbusa]

Yes 800 numbers are not free from overseas

 

[mechBgon]

From a previous thread, I believe there is no way to change license keys if you have the corporate-edition WinXP Pro. You could do a fresh installation of WinXP Pro, or perhaps a repair-install of it, and that should work.

 

[bacillus]

iirc you can do this with keyfinder

 

[elkinm]

This is how you change you change the key. Just copy the script to the appropriate file and change to the proper key. There may be a problem if the new key is not corporate or in general for a different edition of windows. If you got a key from your company, I think it should be corporate already.

Try using the scripts, and if you have problems then you may need to do a repair install. At least for the first time, you should not need to call Microsoft to activate windows.

I don't know how much it costs you, but have you tried a online phone service like SkypeOut. It should be about 2 euro cents per minute in the US if not free for tool free numbers.

 

[DBSX]

I am almost certain you can change your country when you activate.

\Dan

 

[timswim78]

Originally posted by: DBSX
I am almost certain you can change your country when you activate.

\Dan

In most cases, that is correct, but corporate editions do not require activation, and I don't believe that they have an activation feature.

 

[narutofan36]

Originally posted by: bacillus
iirc you can do this with keyfinder

 

[RebateMonger]

If you are changing from one version of XP (OEM, Retail, Corporate Volume) to another version, you'll have to do at least a "Repair Install" of XP. You can't just change the Key when changing versions.

If you aren't changing versions, then changing the Key is simple and has, doubtless, been covered in previous posts above.

As always, be sure to have backups of important data.

 

[spyordie007]

Originally posted by: timswim78
In most cases, that is correct, but corporate editions do not require activation, and I don't believe that they have an activation feature.

They have the "activation feature" but if you try and go to the activation screen it just tells you that "Windows is already activated"

Originally posted by: RebateMonger
If you are changing from one version of XP (OEM, Retail, Corporate Volume) to another version, you'll have to do at least a "Repair Install" of XP. You can't just change the Key when changing versions.

If you aren't changing versions, then changing the Key is simple and has, doubtless, been covered in previous posts above.

As always, be sure to have backups of important data.

:thumbsup: